Boss: We can beat anyone

Manager Graham Alexander believes League Two leaders Rochdale will be looking for revenge when they come to face Fleetwood Town at Highbury on Saturday.

The Cod Army claimed a 2-1 victory at Spotland in December although Dale have since risen to the top of the table, with Keith Hill’s side having won their last four.

And Alexander expects a game of good football with both sides battling for automatic promotion.

“They’ll probably be coming and trying get a bit of revenge, but we’re looking forward to the game,” said Alexander.

“It will be two good footballing sides going at each other for the three points.

“They’re in the number one spot at the moment and have had a good season, but we’ve been there and beaten them earlier on in the season.

“I wouldn’t like us to be open for them, and I don’t think Keith Hill will be thinking any differently from their side.

“It’s about the balance of the game. You want to play open and attractive football yourself, but when you’re off the ball, you don’t want it to be like that. That’s the key for the game.

“They’ve got various threats which we know of and they’ve scored a lot of goals this season.

“We controlled the game really well when we played there (at Spotland), but it’s a different game. We have to perform the way we did against Bristol Rovers.”

Alexander feels Fleetwood’s impressive results against teams above them, particularly the League One scalps in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this season, puts them in good stead against the Dale this weekend.

“We know we can beat anyone,” said Alexander. “We’ve competed against all the three teams that are above us and teams from the higher league in the JPT so we know we’re a good team.

“We’ve just got to get that consistency of ten or eleven games rather than four or five and then a defeat, but we know it’s a tough task because Rochdale are a very good team.”

click hereAfter this weekend's game against neighbours Rochdale, Fleetwood return to the road with a trip to Oxford United next up. For ticket information please